VIRAL | Vision for Industrial Robotic AppLications

Region:

Flanders

Financed by

Robotics ROI Calculator: the cost of doing nothing

Assess the profitability of a robotics project with machine vision using the ROI Calculator developped as part of the VIRAL project. Build your business case on a solid financial foundation.

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Making robotics smarter, more flexible, and ROI-driven

The ‘Vision for Industrial Robotic AppLications’ (VIRAL) project empowers companies to explore and adopt advanced vision systems and smart processing algorithms for robotic applications in real production environments. By combining practical tools, in-depth guidance, and real-world demonstrations, VIRAL helps manufacturing companies, especially SMEs, evaluate the feasibility, benefits, and integration challenges of vision-enhanced robotics.

Context

Robots have already revolutionised manufacturing by taking over repetitive, predictable tasks. But what if robots could do more: adapt to changes, respond to unpredictability, and handle variability with intelligence?

To take this leap, robots need to ‘see’ and interpret their environment in real time. That’s where vision systems and smart processing algorithms come in.

The VIRAL project aims to raise awareness among companies about the potential and benefits of this technology, while also providing support for the practical implementation of smart robotic solutions.

Objectives, approach & results

Feasibility and ROI of vision-driven robots
The project aims to identify relevant industrial use cases, define the necessary requirements, and explore innovative robotic solutions based on vision systems. This helps companies evaluate the feasibility and potential return of adopting such technologies.
Provide insight into technology and integration challenges
VIRAL seeks to clarify the landscape of available vision and path planning technologies and provide structured guidance on how to integrate them into existing robotic systems.
Make advanced technologies accessible to SMEs
One of the core objectives is to make state-of-the-art developments in vision-driven robotics more approachable for small and medium-sized enterprises by offering simplified, ready-to-use tools.
Evaluation and demonstration in practical demos
The project aims to validate and showcase the capabilities of vision-enhanced robots through realistic and relevant industrial demonstrations.
Knowledge sharing and implementation support
VIRAL is committed to raising awareness, building skills, and supporting companies in the practical adoption of these technologies through targeted communication and training.

The project will deliver 5 Key exploitable results for industry application:

An online casebook compiling selected use cases, technical requirements, innovative solutions, and ROI assessments to guide and inspire companies.
A set of technology selection tools, including evaluation criteria, an assessment tool, and practical integration guidelines, to assist companies in choosing the right technologies.
A series of practical guides covering:
- Optimising robot camera exposure
- Implementing AI-based object recognition
- Performing automatic system calibration
- Applying adaptive path planning techniques
Two demonstrators showcasing real-world use cases:
- A pick-and-place application with integrated product inspection
- A robotised grinding process combined with vision-based quality control
A range of knowledge-sharing activities, including informative articles, engaging presentations, hands-on demonstrations, and interactive workshops to support deeper learning and implementation.

Target Group

Robotic automation, when paired with advanced vision technologies, holds significant potential for various actors in the manufacturing ecosystem. Here’s what it means for each stakeholder group:

For manufacturing companies

Manufacturers often work in low-volume, high-mix environments, where small production batches make traditional robotic solutions less efficient. This is where machine vision becomes essential.

Key benefits:

Higher productivity through smarter automation
Improved product quality thanks to better inspection and control
Cost savings by reducing manual operations and inspection efforts
In-house expertise development, empowering teams to innovate and evolve autonomously

For integrators (system installers)

Integrators play a crucial role in bringing technology into real-world applications. By integrating robots with vision systems, they can: